Reddy agrees to withdraw case against CM: Sushma

Bellary, Karnataka, Aug 5 (UNI) Suspended BJP MLC G Janardhana Reddy has agreed to withdraw his private defamatory case against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Home Minister M P Prakash and Forests Minister C Chennigappa, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj announced today.

Talking to reporters at Kamalapur guest house near the world heritage centre of Hampi, she said after holding long discussions with Mr Reddy, she succeeded in making him agree to withdraw the case.

Mr Reddy had kicked up a political storm in the State by accusing Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Chennigappa of receiving a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in the district. He had also named Mr Prakash in the scandal.

However, he retracted his statement on the insistence of the party top brass, only to reiterate his charge again on the floor of the Legislative Council.

Subsequently, he filed a defamation case against the three, without naming their designations, as they termed him ''mentally imbalanced'' following the allegation.

Ms Swaraj said she told Mr Reddy that if he had any information in the bribery case, he should have taken up the matter before State BJP leaders. Even if the State leaders ignored the matter, it should have been brought to the notice of the party Central leaders.

But going to the Press and filing a case was not acceptable. The party workers must behave like disciplined soldiers, she added.

Stating that the BJP fought against corruption, the Rajya Sabha member said if the allegations had any stuff, the party would unitedly put up a fight.

She said she would put the matter, besides the suspension of Mr Reddy from the party, before the State leaders tomorrow.

UNI XR GD ARB RK2035